Renters Way

Old City

Old City Apartments with History and Easy Subway Access

Read our neighborhood guide to find out what it’s like to live in Old City, Philadelphia or scroll down to start browsing our Old City apartments.

Situated next to the Delaware River, Old City is jam-packed with culture, history, art, and everything in between. What many call the nation’s most “historic square mile” houses much more than that; while the neighborhood preserves the history it so rightfully boasts, hip restaurants and lively nights fill this section of the city. That’s why so many consider this a great neighborhood to live in and covet their Old City apartments.

Old City—the place where William Penn and his fellow Quakers first settled—bursts with history from our country’s first days. Located between Front, Sixth, Vine, and Walnut streets, Old City exudes 18th-century charm. While the oldest inhabited street in the United States—Elfreth’s Alley—stands tall with cobblestone streets, row homes, and tight alleyways, the rest of Old City mimics this charming and nostalgic architecture. Due to this unbeatable amount of history, tourists from around the globe flock to the area to visit Philadelphia’s most-coveted attractions. The Betsy Ross House, Benjamin Franklin Museum, and Museum of the American Revolution all lie within steps of each other. While this convenience is one that is loved by both visitors and residents of Old City apartments, it creates a constant buzz and congestion in the neighborhood all year round.

Old City’s one-of-a-kind history is perfectly juxtaposed with trendy activities and places to go. Apart from visiting the popular tourist attractions, Old City locals love to explore the numerous cafes, galleries, and restaurants. On 3rd Street, Old City-ers love to visit the plethora of unique art galleries and clothing boutiques that fill the street. Stores of this kind are a defining factor of Old City, as many from the community gather every month for First Friday, an event where vendors fill the streets selling goods and art. While the list of daytime activities is endless, many enjoy ending the night off with a relaxing movie at one of the three Ritz Movie Theaters, all of which are scattered throughout the neighborhood. These leisurely activities serve as a perfect lifestyle for those looking to slow down and relax.

The fun of Old City doesn’t stop there. One of the many reasons people adore this quaint neighborhood is for its nightlife. With the area being filled with many young professionals and students, lots of hot restaurants, lounges, bars, and clubs stay open as late as 5 a.m., creating a nonstop sense of liveliness throughout the city. Throughout the year, many venture to the river at Penn’s Landing to catch concerts at Festival Pier, ice skate and rollerblade at the Blue Cross Rink, and grab some drinks at Spruce Street Harbor Park, depending on the season. Don’t fret, though—this popping nightlife scene only spans about a three-block radius, allowing residents to enjoy quiet nights in their homes if they please.

Although all that is located in Old City is within easy walking distance, its location on the far east end of Center City makes traveling by foot (or a horse-drawn carriage!) to neighboring locations in Philadelphia not particularly convenient, so residents need to rely on SEPTA or a car. While many residents do have cars, street parking is rather difficult to find, so you’ll need to budget for a monthly fee in one of the neighborhood’s convenient parking lots. Old City is livable without a car, however, as the area is revered for its easy access to public transportation via buses and SEPTA’s Market-Frankford Line. This allows Old City apartment residents to easily navigate to surrounding areas, such as Rittenhouse Square and University City, as well as 30th Street Station for connections to Amtrak service.

In Old City, people of all ages get a piece of the pie. As stated, the lively nightlife attracts young adults, students, and professionals. However, these quiet cobblestone street homes retreat into tranquility, attracting families, older couples, and retirees. Keep in mind, though: This amount of versatility does not come with a low price tag. Although it’s not the priciest neighborhood in the city, Old City apartments for rent aren’t cheap, as this area is sought out as a place to visit and live by many.